Dear visitor, welcome to SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers. If this is your first visit here, please read the Help. It explains how this page works. You must be registered before you can use all the page's features. Please use the registration form, to register here or read more information about the registration process. If you are already registered, please login here.

All zones reading "FUS"

Hello,

I own a Rain Dial Plus 12 zone controller. Starting this past week, all zones started to read "FUS", and stopped working. I tried to replace the 2 amp ADL fuse on the board, but that did not help. Any insight you guys might offer would be great.

There must be another fuse somwhere maybe and or you used a bad NEW fuse.Thats all I can think of. Unless the reason the fuse blew is because of a lightning strike and everything is completely fried,possible not probable though. It might just be the controller being FUSsy lol,in which case do a reset and try a different fuse. Im sure you know that the fuse has to be connected all the way through the sight glass. The wire that is THE FUSE,cant be broken in the middle. Good luck after you check that fuse post back if it doesnt work still. Then we will tell you how to do some fun electrical testing,I enjoy it lol. Its not to hard to do either, but you will need a multimeter a great investment regardless wheather you use it now or not.

This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "servicetechMA" (Jul 24th 2011, 2:37pm)

I did try and use an MDL fuse to replace the ADL fuse. Not sure if that makes a difference. Also, the original ADL "blown" fuse didn't show any sign of damage. Not sure if it is supposed to. I am going to try and get the exact ADL fuse to replace the old one to see if that works.

I already purchased the Multimeter expecting that I might need it.

If anyone has any additional thoughts on what the issue might be, I would appreciate it.

On Irritrol controllers "fus" generally means you have a shorted solenoid and or a bad splice connection. The controller will read on the display something like "fus1" or "fus2" indicating which zone the problem is on. Try resetting the controller to remove the "fus " signal on the display, then set each zone for 1 minute and start the program. When it comes to the bad zone it will show "fus". The better way is to just put a ohm meter on each zone wire and check for resistance. Normal is around 20-60 ohms. If you have a master valve, don't forget to check that also

Unfortunately for me, the FUS reading is on all zones. I reset the controller and set each zone for 1 mintue, and every time the FUS message popped up after trying to manually run the zone. The first time that I noticed the FUS message all the zone numbers where listed above the message.

The FUS on all zones, is usually indicative of a common wire problem. Easy test is to disconnect the common wire from it's terminal and attempt to manually run the zones from the controller. If it works, you know you're dealing with a common wire issue. If it doesn't, disconnect all zone wiring in the controller and attempt again. It is of great importance that you reset the controller after each FUS display, before attempting another test. A multimeter would be quicker, however.

It could be a bad solenoid on the master valve as well.
Then again it could be any solenoid if your fuse is already blown.
Install a new fuse or reset the controller. Then run all the stations. See which valve gives you the initial fuse warning.
It could be crossed wires.

Much appreciated. I will try it out tomorrow.
Can you clarify the "reset"? I've looked through the manual - and there is only an option for factory reset?
Or removing the battery, and the AC plug as well?

Also, I was able to test continuity on the fuse, and visual inspection looks to be intact.

This post has been edited 2 times, last edit by "tvu" (May 12th 2013, 1:45am)